I have come to see it like this:
I try to remember that MC is a Database.
Like any database program, it displays fields of data, which are more clearly displayed in a 'table', on a form, or in a pane . . . . than in a tree.
Trees are great for the environment, wonderful for navigating through a computer's drives, but not the most flexible and clear for data display.
(In windows, once you navigate a tree you open a folder to see the data.)
Think of the tree as driving through city streets, navigating turn by turn . . . . think of Panes as flying across all those streets, directly to you destination. A totally different form of navigation, yet much more efficient once mastered. Like anything, there is a definate learning curve.
Yes for navigating through 'My Computer' a tree is easy and familiar, but for working with the data I am coming to believe that PANES RULE!